Updates and Articles, Blogs, and News Releases

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina survivors of Hurricane Irene with questions about flood insurance claims can now find help by calling a new toll-free hotline.
The Hurricane Irene Flood Insurance Claims Hotline is open to help North Carolina residents in the 38 counties included in the presidential disaster declaration following Hurricane Irene.
The hotline number is 855-336-2002.
The hotline is staffed by flood insurance claims specialists from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Nov. 23.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Hurricane Irene survivors who do not return their applications for Small Business Administration disaster loans may deny themselves opportunities to cover their recovery costs.
There are important reasons to return the SBA application even if a survivor thinks there is no need for a loan:

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Even though disaster recovery centers are closing as North Carolina recovers from Hurricane Irene, help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is still just a telephone call away.
North Carolina residents who sustained disaster-related losses can talk one-to-one with knowledgeable FEMA recovery specialists about ongoing disaster-related needs and questions. Help is available seven days a week in most languages by calling FEMA’s toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Disaster survivors in eight North Carolina counties can talk with recovery specialists at disaster recovery centers located in their communities. Survivors are urged to visit these centers while they remain open.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Many survivors of Hurricane Irene are finding recovery often requires more than a check from the insurance company. In some cases, help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration can speed recovery and fill in gaps in insurance coverage.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Hurricane Irene survivors have only a few more days to visit disaster recovery centers in Greenville and Hobucken. The centers will close Friday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m.
Survivors who still require assistance may call the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit any other disaster recovery center. Other centers remain open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Chocowinity, Columbia, Grantsboro, Halifax, Manteo, New Bern and Swan Quarter.

Some survivors of Hurricane Irene may find insurance settlements won’t cover all disaster-related losses. Help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration may speed recovery and fill in gaps in insurance coverage.
Anyone with disaster-related losses should register with FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) – even if they have insurance.
Help from FEMA may include temporary housing beyond what is covered by insurance for additional living expenses or in cases when an insurance claim is delayed or denied.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Disaster recovery centers in nine North Carolina counties will be open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., beginning Tuesday, Oct. 11.
At the centers, representatives from North Carolina Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and other agencies can explain assistance programs, help survivors apply for disaster aid and answer questions about the status of applications.
Survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center. They can use one of these three methods:

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Three additional counties – Bladen, Columbus and Sampson -- have been designated for disaster assistance to individuals and families as part of North Carolina’s presidential disaster declaration in the wake of Hurricane Irene, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Disaster assistance is now available for survivors in 38 counties across eastern North Carolina.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- More than $38 million in state and federal aid has been approved to help speed recovery across the 35 North Carolina counties designated for individual assistance in the presidential disaster declaration following Hurricane Irene.
October 31 is the deadline to apply for disaster assistance.